Gallus Gallus Domesticus, How Have I Failed You!?!

[WalkingOnSunshine]

The other thing to consider is that your flock may be going through a mini-moult, which is very common in the spring. You won't see big bald patches like you would in the fall, but if you check their feathers you may find quill feathers poking through here and there. It's a natural response to the increasing light levels in spring.

I know mine are starting their spring moult. My egg numbers have dropped considerably in the past two weeks despite the lights on a timer that give them a total of 14 hours of light a day (that includes sunlight).

We also always see a drop in egg production when the weather swings. Doesn't matter if it was warm and gets cold and rainy, or it was cold and rainy and the weather gets nice, the day after a weather swing will always have less production (we keep a production log). If the weather stays constant, egg production will bounce back up and stay there until the next swing. Of course, in Ohio, there's never a time when our weather doesn't swing.

 

[azygous]

Are you feeding free choice? Or do you dish out a prescribed amount each day? If their feeder empties in between feedings, they are not getting enough to eat. Starvation is one of the biggest reasons for no egg laying.

If it's over 70, they need a LOT of water! Chickens drink by scooping the water up into their beak and then tipping their head back to let it run down their throat. I really doubt a nipple waterer can satisfy an urgent water need.

After a starvation situation has been rectified, it will take a month before they will lay again, maybe longer.

Also, do NOT mix scratch with the layer ration. It's displacing the protein and calcium they need to take in for eggs. The high calcium in a layer feed will actually promote egg laying. Look to give them additional calcium, maybe by feeding yogurt, fish, deep green veggies.

 

[UrbanScratch]

Thank you everyone. I will try the light and timer. As well as the bowl of water. As far as feed goes, they are not running out during the day between refill/top offs. We got an egg from one of the new birds today so maybe that is a good sign!

 

[iguanasal]

Thank you everyone. I will try the light and timer. As well as the bowl of water. As far as feed goes, they are not running out during the day between refill/top offs. We got an egg from one of the new birds today so maybe that is a good sign!

Where do the chickens lay eggs ? Mine usually go into a nest box and I notice some looking for a nest and when one is put in place they use it. do u have nest sites for them? We give ours table scraps extra rice bread etc.. Do u give UR chickens these type of extra food?

Ps if in desperate measures get ssome cage free eggs at the store and tell her u just found them from your chickens lol maybe not also u could get her a silkie or a top hat I'm sure she will fall in love w them then if u live near south Florida I know wher u can get some chicks

 

[UrbanScratch]

Quote:
The wife tried this just now and she said the girls could really care less about the water. So i do not think is a water issue at this point. I picke up the timer and light on Monday to give that a try as well.

 

[UrbanScratch]

Quote:
We have a community laying box. Mostly they like to just lay on the floor of the hen house. It is a smaller hen house and we use the deep litter method so it is easy for them to nestle in and lay a few eggs if they want. One of my projects, if time allows, is ot build two nest boxes inside the hen house. If for nothing else to make it easier to collect for me.

 

[UrbanScratch]

Quote:
I have been noticing more feathers around in the last two weeks, as well as alot of crazy hair dues around the flock. Feathers sticking out everywhere. It would be my luck i am going through a season change, a moult, a post food shortage, laying box deprevation crisis, all at the same time. We will come out on top and continue to do the best for our girls. I will keep everyone updated.

 

[PSJ]

It's is most likely because of the move and the feeding error. Have lay pellets available to them at all times, and in a few week, you will be getting egg again

 

[iguanasal]

When I first got some chickens ami have noticed it took them awhile to start laying again the guy said they where laying when I took them after they settled In they did begin laying again they are sitting on a bunch of eggs right now and I even had to put some of there eggs under some other broodys
Goodluck seems all will fall in place w time

 

[UrbanScratch]

A little update. We received four eggs today. One of them was from a hen we thought had quit laying. So four out of seven producing hens is a huge step in the right direction. Thanks for all the support on this problem. Cheers everyone!